TEDx continues focus on race, diversity issues

One of the biggest topics at Southeast Missouri State University -- and in the nation -- recently has been the issue of race and diversity. As part of Southeast's continuing efforts to bring the discussion to the forefront, the university held a TEDx last week with the theme "Diverse Passions" to discuss race and culture in society and media.

During the program, four faculty members from different departments gave brief lectures, with breaks in between for audience members to discuss what they had heard.

Debra Lee-DiStefano focused on assumptions. Allen Gathman spoke about race and genetics. Tamara Zellars Buck spoke about how media matter. And Kenneth Heischmidt spoke about how graduates can distinguish themselves from their peers.

Southeast's Speakers Series this year also focused on diversity issues, bringing speakers such as Common, Fareed Zakaria, Carli Lloyd and Bethany Hamilton to Cape Girardeau.

When discussing topics such as race and diversity, it's important that the conversation be open and honest on all sides. People can't come to understand an issue if they don't first listen and ask relevant questions. Universities, which tend to be a diverse microcosm of races, religions and cultures, are a fantastic place for this discourse to begin. We commend Southeast on leading the effort to facilitate that discourse.